'Waves of Leaves' is an interactive, reactive ceramic sculpture that is made of clay.  By detecting the proximity of the viewer, and by implication the viewer’s gaze, the sculpture reacts by showing gentle movements. The piece is intended to address the concerns of beauty in natural forms and materials, and  a controlled form of minimal interaction in technologically augmented art.

Composed of hand-sculpted ceramic leaves ranging in size from 2 to 5 inches. Each leaf is supported on the base by metal rods, which are in turn controlled by servo motors, micro controllers and take input from ultrasonic proximity sensors placed around the piece to detect the distance between the viewer and the piece. The servo motors are controlled by Arduino. When the processing unit senses motion from viewer, the leaves move and tremble like a tree waving in the wind. Each leaf has a range of motion, able to move up and down, once and repeats. There is the side effect of sound and motion when they hit each other on the way of their motion.

My goal is to create an artwork inspired by the beauty of nature, reinterpreting that beauty into a visual work. A piece that can distinguish itself from other interactive art as well as from other ceramic artwork through the controlled use of viewer interaction. By doing so I want to make a piece that is more approachable in enjoyment than static sculpture, yet at the same time be able to maintain the artist's original intention and vision of the work. 

Keywords
interactive art, kinetic sculpture, ceramics, physical computing, controlled (limited) user input, proximity, nature, aesthetic pleasure (beauty), gaze, artist's intent

Implementation
Its design is inspired by nature, and I have created leaves and arranged them like a waterfall or a visualization of wind. I wish to communicate that the beauty of nature is in its shapes, colors and movement, and it is my intention to recreate that beauty with this piece.
Composed of hand-sculpted ceramic leaves ranging in size from 2 to 5 inches. Each leaf is supported on the base by metal rods, which are in turn controlled by servo motors, micro controllers and take input from ultrasonic proximity sensors placed around the piece to detect the distance between the viewer and the piece. The servo motors are controlled by Arduino. When the processing unit senses motion from viewer, the leaves move and tremble like a tree waving in the wind. Each leaf has a range of motion, able to move up and down, once and repeats. There is the side effect of sound and motion when they hit each other on the way of their motion.

Zone1. 

At this point the sculpture will stay still for about 2 minutes and then make a slight movement of each leaf moving up and down at a slow speed. It is an expression of the desire to be notice, to seek attention. Without someone's concern, the sculpture as an art is less meaningful. 

                       

Zone2. 

The sculpture's movement is more expressive and graceful. It makes some sound as individual leaves make slight contact with each other in their movement. At this stage the sculpture and the viewer are meaningful to each other, and the leaves are happy, and hopefully, the viewers are pleased.

                       

Zone3.

If the viewer comes closer to it, the sculpture's movement will stop mid-cycle. This sudden stop represents a pause of consideration -  has the viewer come closer to the piece in interest or with malice?. After few seconds, the leaves will settle and then jump up to a certain random height together to start cascading down again. The motion continued representing a sentiment of joy with the realization that the viewer has come in interest, in appreciation.